RNA结合蛋白与RNA分子相互作用，在转录后水平调控精子发生基因表达，为揭示精子发生机制的一类关键分子。前期研究表明RNA结合蛋白ELAVL2在哺乳类动物生殖和神经系统特异表达，但在睾丸中的表达、功能以及机制至今不得而知。本团队前期研究证实了ELAVL2在人精原细胞特异表达，其在精原干细胞中定位于胞核，在分化型精原细胞定位于胞浆，而在精母细胞和精子细胞中均不表达，提示其对精原干细胞自我更新和分化发挥关键作用。本项目拟开展以下研究：1）明确ELAVL2在睾丸组织中的时空表达特征以及发育过程中表达模式；2）应用模式动物及体外实验探讨ELAVL2对精原干细胞自我更新和分化的影响；3）利用RIP和irCLIP技术揭示ELAVL2参与精原干细胞自我更新和分化的机制。本研究将有助于阐明精原干细胞自我更新和分化新机制，为非梗阻性无精子症的治疗提供新靶标，为精原干细胞长期培养及诱导分化提供理论基础。

RNA-binding protein, proteins bind to the double or single stranded RNA, could regulate gene expression via post-transcriptional level. It is essential in spermatogenesis. Previous study revealed that RNA-binding protein ELAVL2 was specifically expressed in the neuronal and reproductive system. However, the expression, function and mechanism of ELAVL2 in spermatogenesis still remained unclear. Through comparing the mRNA profiles among spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids, we predicted and verified that ELAVL2 was specifically expressed in speramtogonia. Notably, it is located in the nuclei of SSCs, whereas in differentiated spermatogonia, it is located in the plasma, suggesting ELAVL2 maybe plays essential roles in self-renew and differentiation of SSCs. In this project, the following studies will be conducted: 1) Identification of ELAVL2 in adult testis and its expression in developmental process from PGC to spermatogonia. 2) The function of ELAVL2 in self-renew and differentiation regulation of SSCs. 3) the mechanism of ELAVL2 in self-renew and differentiation regulation of SSCs. This study will provide insightful information in the regulation of spermatogenesis and offer a new theory for the establishment of in-vitro SSCs culture system and in-vitro induction from SSCs to haploid spermatids.